Building a Better Future: Albert’s Story

Each morning, Albert takes two buses across the city to get to work.

Despite the long commute, he arrives with the same energy his coworkers have come to expect.

“I come in every day happy,” Albert said. “You’ll probably never see me with a sad face. That’s just me.”

Behind Albert’s positive outlook is a story of resilience. At age 6, he entered foster care, where he remained until he was adopted. After turning 18, he left home and set out on his own.

For Albert, the next few years were difficult as he worked to find his footing and determine what he wanted his future to look like.

That perspective began to change when he became a father. With the birth of his children, Jeremiah and Janiyah, Albert found a new sense of purpose and a reason to build a more stable future for his family.

“I’ve been through a lot in my life, and I want to be a better person,” Albert said.

As his family grew, finding dependable work became a priority. Albert worked contract jobs in technical support, but the work was inconsistent.

Then, an old ticket unexpectedly changed his path. After being assigned eight hours of community service, Albert searched for a nearby organization where he could complete the requirement and found Goodwill San Antonio.

He was assigned to the donation station, where he quickly connected with the work and his team. Before finishing his hours, Albert asked if the store was hiring.

“They told me I had to wait until I finished my hours,” he said. “So, I hurried up and completed them. As soon as I was done, I came back and filled out an application.”

Soon after, Albert joined the team as a donation attendant and found the steady job he had been seeking for his family.

Since joining Goodwill, Albert has gained confidence and set new goals. He is now considering leadership classes to strengthen his communication skills and prepare for advancement.

“This job has really been a blessing,” Albert said. “It came at a time when I didn’t know I needed it.”

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At Goodwill San Antonio, we believe in changing lives through the power of work. Through meaningful employment and career development, we help people create brighter futures for themselves and their families. To learn more about our mission, click here.

By Yvonne Byrd, Senior Manager of Brand Communications